Sunday Times
London

“Palmer’s brilliant exposition has reconciled, drawn together the multifarious strands of the world’s most fascinating music in a way never before attempted so comprehensively ... with magisterial clarity. It’s simply the best thing yet on the subject and long overdue.
Magnificent.”

 

Variety

 “Visually rich as mass entertainment ... its appeal should transcend most frontiers ... loaded with musical personalities.”

 

New York Library Journal

“A brilliantly authoritative historical study.”

 

 

The Economist

“The descriptive passages are of the highest quality ... outstandingly good”

 

 American Cosmpolitan

 “The best is here in a splendidly llustrated book that’s bound to please all but the irredeemably tone-deaf.”

 

 

Evening Standard
London

“Scholarly ... one of the most comprehensive volumes to appear on pop.., the shows will attract a massive audience.”

 

 

Times Educational  Supplement
London

“Some instalments have triumphed indeed ... of outstanding quality.
(The films) are presented in lavish helpings and combine to produce rivetting television. As a beautifully packaged piece of journalistic literature, (the book) carefully market—researched and aimed at mass readership, almost defeats criticism calculated to entertain and provoke.”

 

 

Melody Maker

“It presents information that will be a revelation to many ... Palmer’s sense of cinematic outrage either impresses or infuriates, but then he wants to engender a sense of fury about an often shameful story.”


 

BBC Kaleidoscope

“The most exciting series on Independent Television since ‘The World at War’.”

 

Nottingham Evening Post

One of the all—time great series.”

 

 

Kent Evening Post

A mass of marvellous music.”

 

Sunday Telegraph
London

“A dazzling parade of legendary performers ... sensational.

 

 

Northern Echo

“Supremely enjoyable.”

 

Peterborough Evening Telegraph

“Helpings of rich entertainment.”

 

 

Daily Express
London

“Very serious and captivating; fascinating film ... rare pictures. Incredible energy. All augured well, even if you have never bought a pop record in your life.

 

 

Bristol Evening Post

Really engrossing.”

 

 

Manchester Evening News

A sure winner.”

 

 

Screen International

Brilliant.”

 

 

The Listener

A comprehensive, blunt and indeed notably honest book ... something of a triumph. The first well—planned, thoroughly opinionated, non—nutty history of the people’s music in the people’s century, infuriating, stimulating, long overdue, and hugely welcome.”

 

 

Publishers' Weekly
USA

“An informed and entertaining (book) that looks into topside and flipside of every kind of popular music ... almost definitive.. an attractive buy.”

 

Houston Chronicle

A splendid job ... great fun, a lively account of American mass music.”

 

Irish Times

Open the book almost anywhere and one can find a useful bit of wisdom.”

 

 

Daily Mirror
London

“This excellent history of popular music ... lavish, catchily written, lucid.”

 

San Franciso Examiner

“This intelligent sensitive survey carried off with an educated elan that reveals both considerable knowledge and
respect for the subject.”

 

Massachusetts News-Tribune

“A whale of a book (with) information galore.”

 

 

Rock Star
USA

“Exhaustively researched it is compulsive reading ... full of sheer gems.”

 

Grimsby Evening Telegraph

“Bright,well—illustrated, and fascinating; and will be welcomed by all students of the pop music form.”

 

Northampton Chronicle & Echo

“A massive tome ... lucid, thoroughly entertaining and timely.”

 

The Scotsman
Edinburgh

“Abrasive and brimful of illustrations.”

  

St. Louis Post Dispatch

“Well written and filled with illustrations.”


  

The Times
London

“Marvellous ... it will educate and entertain.”

 

 

Daily Mail
London

“A firework display... it has winner stamped all over it. Stunning. Unique.”

 

Glasgow Daily Record

“The biggest musical undertaking ever attempted by TV.”

 

 

Chicago Daily News

“Intelligent, sensitive survey.”

 

 

Daily Progress
Charlottesville Virginia

“By far the most complete and lavish treatment in print ... popular, witty and learned. The pictures are great.”

 

Sounds
UK

“Fascinating and infuriating.”

 

San Diego Union

“Comprehensive, readable and revealing; overflows with fascinating anecdotes ... masterly.”

 

London Evening News

“A marvellous film series ... it will attract a massive audience.”

 

The Guardian

“Provocative and entertaining ... a lively piece of art.”